22 The Costume Designer Fall 2015
THE COSTUME DEPARTMENT
Illustration by Robin Richesson
rrichesson@cdgia.com
Text by Marcy Froehlich
mfroehlich@cdgia.com
HISTORY OF DRESS
Harajuku
Japanese street fashion has blossomed in the Haraju-
ku district of Shibuya, Tokyo. The feeling is young and
exuberant, naïve—yet edgy, and constantly chang-
ing. It's the quintessence of individual expression.
Many styles have emerged from the mix of tradition-
al Japanese dress with alternative fashion. One of the
most popular is Gothic Lolita, a young doll-like look
with black corsets and short crinolines, parasols, and
the odd spider or bat. Decora style combines layers
of accessories with pink, a favorite color, and short
tutu skirts. Fairy Kei is childlike, using pastel colors
with toy and baby motifs. Many incarnations exist,
some use school uniforms, some take hip hop, punk,
or heavy metal cues, all are intended to express an
avant-garde, free fashion sense.
